Ukrainian media in crisis as USAID funding cuts force outlets to close

Several Ukrainian media outlets have been forced to cease operations after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the closure of its grants program, which many Ukrainian publications relied on for financial support.

The issue was highlighted by Sergiy Sydorenko, co-founder and co-editor of European Pravda, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Sydorenko explained that many media outlets in Ukraine, which were heavily dependent on funding from USAID, are now facing significant challenges following the suspension of financial assistance. The shutdown of USAID’s funding was triggered by the US National Endowment for Democracy's decision to terminate support for approximately 2,000 global projects and lay off the majority of its employees. The Endowment had been providing financial backing to USAID's efforts in Ukraine.

While European Pravda has not been directly impacted, Sydorenko confirmed that many other Ukrainian media organizations are in "serious trouble." He added, "We know for sure that the situation is deteriorating rapidly."

This situation reflects a broader issue within Ukrainian media. According to Oksana Romaniuk, the executive director of the Institute of Mass Information, 90 per cent of Ukrainian media outlets operate with the help of Western grants. The dependency on external funding has left these outlets vulnerable to shifts in foreign aid policies, such as the recent decision to freeze support from USAID.

In early February, the US State Department appointed Senator Marco Rubio as interim head of USAID and announced a comprehensive review of the US foreign aid program, further deepening the uncertainty for many Ukrainian media organizations reliant on such support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also commented on the halting of funding, reflecting concerns over the future of media in Ukraine as the crisis deepens.

This disruption comes at a time when Ukraine’s media landscape, already under significant pressure due to the ongoing conflict, is facing additional financial instability due to changes in international support systems.

By Vafa Guliyeva